A Garden That Holds Its Ground
A six-acre public space at the center of the 28-acre Hudson Yards mixed-use development in Manhattan, the Public Square and Gardens offers a variety of gathering spaces at the convergence of the High Line, 11th Avenue, Hudson Boulevard, and a subway transit station. Human-scaled, biodiverse outdoor spaces mediate the challenging environmental context including exposure to intense wind, sun, and heat radiating from the rail lines below.
Soil systems were engineered to support robust plantings in limited volumes, combining structural stability with the nutrients necessary for tree and plant health. A sophisticated cooling system regulates soil temperatures to counteract heat from trains, ensuring long-term horticultural viability. Drawing inspiration from the Hudson River Valley’s natural landscapes, the planting scheme features shade-giving trees, dense shrub layers, and open expanses that provide moments of enclosure. Trees rising to 50 feet and dense plantings create cooling canopies against the backdrop of towering skyscrapers, offering an interplay between natural and built environments.
The landscape coordinates the technical and aesthetic aspects of the public space: civil engineering for storm water management, ADA and emergency access to all areas, structural engineering of the platform over the rail lines below, and connections with the architecture at ground level and above.
